History of Agudath Israel Congregation

In September,1932, sixteen families living in the newly-developed West End of Ottawa met in Jacob Taller's mattress factory for High Holiday services. The group started meeting for daily and Shabbat services in the homes of Alex Kelman and Shnair Blushinsky. High Holiday services were held at the West End Y.M.C.A. and later in St. Georges Home on Wellington Street.

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In 1936, the group decided to organize itself into a permanent congregation chartered under the name of Congregation Agudath Israel. The first officers were: President, Harry Leikin; Vice-president, Alex Kelman; Treasurer, Morris Goldberg; and Secretary, Norman Kalin.

In 1938, the congregation purchased St. Mathias Church at 17 Fairmont for $3000 as its first permanent sanctuary. The synagogue, which seated 200, consisted of one room in which congregants prayed, socialized and held teas, meetings and parties. It became the centre of Jewish social life in the growing West End of Ottawa. Sylvia Kelman served as president of the Ladies Auxiliary (which began its long tradition of fundraising by contributing the initial $1000 for the purchase of the building).

In 1942, Sol Shapiro was hired as Chazan and Talmud Torah teacher. High Holiday services were conducted by Rabbi Kravetz. The synagogue also served as a Sunday School with volunteer teachers conducting classes in the kitchen round a potbelly stove. In 1944, the synagogue was granted cemetery space. In 1947, Abe Lieff was elected president and held that post for the next 16 years, a period of change and challenge for the synagogue.

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With the expansion of the Jewish community into the West End, the congregation was growing rapidly and new quarters were required. In 1948, the building at 30 Rosemount was purchased and the congregation engaged its first spiritual leader, Rabbi Morris D. Margolis.

The synagogue developed into an exciting institution. The religious school had over 100 children. Youth groups, including Brownies and Boy Scouts, were started. The Men's Club held regular Sunday morning meetings. There was an active Sisterhood. Mixed seating was introduced.

In 1951, the synagogue became affiliated with the United Synagogue of America movement. Rabbi Samuel Burstein took over as spiritual leader, and in 1952, David Aptowitzer became cantor, a role he would fill for the next 42 years. He inaugurated the first High Holidays men's choir, which became a mixed choir in 1975.

In the early 1950's the Sisterhood established the Nearly New Shop next door to the synagogue, on Rosemount Avenue. It served as a major source of funds for synagogue development until 2005. The Cinderella Ball, honouring Nearly New Shop donors and volunteers, was a highlight of the synagogue's social season for many years.

As the congregation continued to grow, the synagogue purchased eight acres of land between Coldrey Avenue and Laperriere Avenue on which to construct a new building. Architect Sid Lithwick designed the building and in 1960 the first stage of the synagogue at 1400 Coldrey Avenue, consisting of the Auditorium and Education Building, was dedicated. The West End Branch of Hillel Academy moved into the Education Building.

Rabbi Burstein was followed by Rabbi Michael Kurz in 1959 and Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg in 1961. Also in 1961 USY groups were formed and the gift shop and Malca Pass Library were opened. The gift shop continues to operate while the Malca Pass Library has received accreditation from the Association of Jewish Libraries and continues to offer a valued service to the entire community. It boasts an excellent collection of books as well as music. A successful Book Club has been in operation since 1990.

The new sanctuary, seating 400, was dedicated in 1966 with the Governor General and Mrs. Vanier in attendance. In the same year a junior congregation was established which had an attendance of over 100 children.

In 1964, the first Friday evening Bat Mitzvah took place. Saturday morning Bat Mitzvahs were begun four years later.

In 1974, Rabbi Roy Tanenbaum became spiritual leader, followed by Rabbi Irving Schreier in 1976. Rabbi Arnold Fine, joined the synagogue in 1981 and served until 2004. Upon his retirement, in recognition of his many years of service, Rabbi Fine was appointed Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Charles Popky is the current spiritual leader.

Upon his retirement in 1994, Cantor Aptowitzer was awarded the title of Cantor Emeritus. Cantor Samuel Linkovsky replaced Cantor Aptowitzer, followed by Cantor Stephen Chaiet. Cantor Shnieur Bielak has been the Chazzan since 2003.

The synagogue undertook a final building phase in 1987, when Hillel Academy vacated the classrooms. A daily chapel seating 60, now called the Max and Lillian David Chapel, a small social hall, later renamed the David Aptowitzer Simcha Room, a dairy kitchen and a new Malca Pass Library were added.

As the synagogue membership continued to grow, a parallel High Holiday Service was initiated in the Chapel in 1988 in order to accommodate all members. Rabbi Michael Brown of Toronto has led this service since its inception with Cantor Aptowitzer serving as the Cantor. A third family-oriented service was inaugurated in 1999 and continues to attract participants. Dr. Seymour Epstein led this service for the first few years, assisted by members of the congregation who perform the Chazzanut. More recently, the service has been led by Dr. Mark Smiley and his wife, A viva Silverman.

Over the years, many projects were undertaken to beautify and add special meaning to the synagogue. These include: the Burning Bush sculpture on the exterior wall of the Sanctuary; the dedication walls in the foyer, the Jewish Holidays tapestries in the foyer; the Holocaust sculpture on the Memorial Wall; the Chagall petit point pictures in the corridor outside the Library; the stained glass windows depicting Jewish holidays in the sanctuary; the stained glass windows in the Chapel and several embroidered Torah mantles. All were made possible by the generosity and efforts of various synagogue members. An ongoing project is the Tree of Life sculpture to which congregants are encouraged to add commemorative "leaves".

The first female president, Barbara Farber, was installed in 1989 and women were also invited to participate more fully in ritual aspects of the synagogue. A women's prayer group was formed in 1984 and met monthly on Sunday mornings for several years. There have been a number of female presidents since 1989 and women's participation has continued to grow. In 1994, women were called for the Maftir aliyah. Since 2006, women have been eligible for any aliyah and are also permitted to read Torah. A number of women now wear tallesim and are welcome to lay tefillin. A new siddur, the 'Sim Shalom', was introduced and a new chumash, the 'Etz Chaim', is also available, for those who prefer it to the 'Hertz'.

Youth involvement in synagogue worship has also been encouraged. Tefilateinu, a Shabbat morning prayer service for children ages 5 to 13, was started around 1980, organized and conducted by volunteer parents. Tefilateinu youngsters often lead the closing prayers in the main sanctuary, and have helped to conduct the service. B'nei Mitzvah classes have also become popular. Children becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah and their parents meet with the Rabbi in a series of classes to discuss various aspects of this milestone occasion.

Today, Agudath Israel Synagogue has a membership of over 700 families. It has an active youth program and a core of volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs of its membership